How prevalent is malware on Windows PCs?

[Jack]

What percentage of PCs in the United States are infected with malware? If you’ve been following the mainstream press recently, you might have read an alarming statistic: “Nearly half of personal computers in the U.S. are compromised by malware.”

That statement is an outright fabrication. It is not true. It is not even remotely accurate, based on objective data. The actual number varies, depending on where you are in the world, but for Windows users who have automatic updates turned on, the worldwide average is somewhere between 1% and 2%. In my opinion, if you practice the basics of online security, the likelihood that your Windows PC is infected by malware is a tiny fraction of 1%.

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[LoftedAphid86]

I would never believe a statistic like that.
It does say the percentage of computers that are infected, and not how likely you are to be infected.

 

[Tweak]

I would never believe a statistic like that.
It does say the percentage of computers that are infected, and not how likely you are to be infected.

Keep in mind about 73.4% of all statistics are made up on the spot, so you never know.

 

[jamescv7]

According to the report some people that were are suspicious to be infected and scan in online scanner. So it means there can no AV installed nor update it must possible to detect if they made it up to date.

 

[LaserWraith]

I see and hear about a large amount of people who mention how a virus "messed up" their computer. But these are only the people who received a virus that intentionally tried to ruin their computer. There are many more subtle malicious programs that steal data...and many people pride themselves in having their own botnets.

I bet that many people are infected, at least more than 1%.

 

[MetalShaun]

I would never believe a statistic like that.
It does say the percentage of computers that are infected, and not how likely you are to be infected.

Keep in mind about 73.4% of all statistics are made up on the spot, so you never know.

Hehe its a good one, i sometimes use that.

 

[McLovin]

wow...the stats are pretty scary...nearly half...that is so many :s

That is why you have to think smart.

 

[Tweak]

I would never believe a statistic like that.
It does say the percentage of computers that are infected, and not how likely you are to be infected.

Keep in mind about 73.4% of all statistics are made up on the spot, so you never know.

Hehe its a good one, i sometimes use that.

Glad someone caught that one...lol.

 

[jamescv7]

Yes seems a huge people are been infected malware there.